Southwest Hip Hop
Encyclopedia
Southwest hip hop is a form of hip hop music
performed in the Southwestern United States
. It is very different from East Coast
and Southern hip hop; it shares more similarities with Midwest
and West Coast hip hop
. Southwest hip hop is a blend of the laid-back G-funk
style of the West Coast and the more aggressive, hardcore Midwest style of hip hop. Some Chicano rap artists from the West Coast, such as Lil Rob
, identify themselves as Southwest hip hop artists too. Chicano rap artists from the southern state
of Texas typically identify themselves as Southwest hip hop artists too. While not nearly as popular in the mainstream, Southwestern hip hop is very popular in southwestern states
of Arizona
, New Mexico
, Colorado
, Nevada
and Utah
. It is also popular in Texas
and California
.
was the NB Ridaz
, formerly known as Nastyboy Klick. The group was formed in 1995, releasing five studio albums from 1997–2004 and a greatest hits album in 2008. The group has since split and are now pursuing solo careers.
Another rap artist to come out of Arizona is Willy Northpole
, who is also from Phoenix. He released his debut album Tha Connect
in 2009, which featured collaborations with B.O.B
, Ne-Yo
, and Bobby Valentino.
Mav of Sol Camp is a Chicano rap
artist from Phoenix as well. He released his album Independent Hustlin in 2010.
are the Kut'n'Kru Axe Murder Boyz
, Flobots
, Deuce Mob
, King Tef, B Blacc, Zachary "Status" Young and Krookid Hooks.
The Axe Murder Boyz
are a horrorcore
hip hop group on Hatchet House
records. They have released three studio albums, with their fourth album The Garcia Brothers coming in 2011.
The Flobots
are a hip hop/rock group from Denver. They have two studio albums, Fight With Tools
and Survival Story
. Their single "Handlebars
" came into prominence and charted at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Deuce Mob
are a Chicano Rap
group from North Denver
. Their most prominent release was their 1996 debut album, Going Solo. They have collaborated with artists such as, Kid Frost
, Chingo Bling
, Devin the Dude
, Rappin' 4-Tay
, and Mack 10
. They have also performed with artists such as Tech N9ne
, Ice Cube
, and WC
.
Another prominent hip hop artist to come out of Denver is the group Zachary "Status" Young & Krookid Hooks. They are from North Denver, and released their debut album Death, Politics, Religion and Rap. Krookid Hooks has since released a solo album titled "Dark Comedy" in 2010 . The group also recorded a compilation album Language of the Beast with Louie Cypha and Manic who are on their label Cadava Recordz in 2010. Status is set to release an album titled "The Marlboro Man" as well as Krookid Hooks with a collaboration album featuring other Colorado hip hop artists titled "Krookid Kollabos". Both are due out summer 2011.
King Tef is another popular up and coming hip hop artist from Denver. He released his debut album Krowned Illest N-Tha Game in 2010. He is currently working on a collaboration album, The Council, with fellow Colorado hip hop artists Black Pegasus, Hypnautic, and more.
B BlacKK is another very prominent artist in Denver. He is from the Montbello area on the east side of Denver. His albums The BlacCk Mac LP, The Art of Conflict, and BlacK the Ripper have gained much attention in the southwest and the west coast.
Other prominent artists from Denver are Whygee, Sunken State, Hypnautic, Def Ch!ld Produx, Maneline, King Devious, Da'Ze De'Vil, Deca, Avius, Black Hole Posse, and Bobby Tek.
is Black Pegasus
. He runs his own label, Brass Knuckle Entertainment, and has released 5 studio albums. He has collaborated with artists such as Tech N9ne
, Immortal Technique
, and Chino XL
. His new album, Brass Knuckle King, is coming out in 2011.
Another known hip hop artist from Colorado Springs is Black P's brother Trigga Man, who is signed to his brother's label, Brass Knuckle Entertainment. He released his debut studio album Squeeze Till You Empty in 2007.
Distrakt is another popular hip hop artist to come from Colorado Springs. His albums include Calculate Depth Thru Introspect and Distraktions.
Big B has released six solo albums since 2004 and four other albums with his group OPM
. He is signed to Suburban Noize Records
. He has collaborated frequently with the Kottonmouth Kings
, Tech N9ne
, and Hed PE. Big B has also collaborated with the Axe Murder Boyz
and Blaze Ya Dead Homie
.
SeDrew Price aka "The Prince of Sin City", has released 4 mixtapes, "Roll Da Mat", "Basic Training", "Rap Or Die", and "The X-Files". In 2009, he released his debut independent album, "T.D.A.T." (The Day After Tomorrow). He is releasing an EP in July 2011 called "The New Regime". SeDrew Price also features in "Party Hard", a hit single by fellow Las Vegas rapper Jazz.
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
performed in the Southwestern United States
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
. It is very different from East Coast
East Coast hip hop
East Coast hip hop is a regional subgenre of hip hop music that originated in New York City, USA during the 1970s. Hip hop is recognized to have originated and evolved first in the East Coast...
and Southern hip hop; it shares more similarities with Midwest
Midwest hip hop
Midwest hip hop is hip hop music performed by artists from the Midwestern United States. In contrast with its East Coast, West Coast and Southern counterparts, Midwest hip hop has very few constants...
and West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
. Southwest hip hop is a blend of the laid-back G-funk
G-funk
G-funk, or Gangsta-funk, is a sub-genre of hip hop music that emerged from Westcoast gangsta rap in the early 1990s. G-funk incorporates multi-layered and melodic synthesizers, slow hypnotic grooves, a deep bass, background female vocals, the extensive sampling of P-funk tunes, and a high-pitched...
style of the West Coast and the more aggressive, hardcore Midwest style of hip hop. Some Chicano rap artists from the West Coast, such as Lil Rob
Lil Rob
Roberto Flores , best known by his stage name Lil Rob, is a Mexican American rapper, producer, and actor-Biography:...
, identify themselves as Southwest hip hop artists too. Chicano rap artists from the southern state
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
of Texas typically identify themselves as Southwest hip hop artists too. While not nearly as popular in the mainstream, Southwestern hip hop is very popular in southwestern states
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
and Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
. It is also popular in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Arizona
The most popular rap artist to come out of PhoenixPhoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
was the NB Ridaz
NB Ridaz
-Overview:The group released several successful singles as Nastyboy Klick in the late 1990s, including "Down for Yours" and "Lost in Love" . I [Heart] Nb Ridaz...
, formerly known as Nastyboy Klick. The group was formed in 1995, releasing five studio albums from 1997–2004 and a greatest hits album in 2008. The group has since split and are now pursuing solo careers.
Another rap artist to come out of Arizona is Willy Northpole
Willy Northpole
William Adams, professionally known as Willy Northpole, is an American rapper/Southwest Hip Hop artist who is signed to Disturbing Tha Peace Records. He released his first album, Tha Connect in June 2009. He is from Phoenix, Arizona.-Biography:...
, who is also from Phoenix. He released his debut album Tha Connect
Tha Connect
Tha Connect is the debut studio album by American rapper Willy Northpole. It was released on June 23, 2009. The album's first single was "Body Marked Up" and second "#1 Side Chick" featuring Bobby Valentino. The album features guest appearances from Ne-Yo, B.o.B, and Bobby Valentino. The albums...
in 2009, which featured collaborations with B.O.B
B.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
, Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, and Bobby Valentino.
Mav of Sol Camp is a Chicano rap
Chicano rap
Chicano Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music, Latin rap and gangsta rap that embodies aspects of West Coast and Southwest Mexican American culture and is typically performed by American rappers and musicians of Mexican descent.-Early Years:...
artist from Phoenix as well. He released his album Independent Hustlin in 2010.
Denver
The most prominent hip hop artists from DenverDenver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
are the Kut'n'Kru Axe Murder Boyz
Axe Murder Boyz
Axe Murder Boyz are an American hip hop duo from Denver, Colorado. The group consists of brothers Mike and James Garcia, who perform under the names Bonez Dubb and Otis.-Biography:...
, Flobots
Flobots
The Flobots are a political rock and hip hop musical group from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2000 by Jamie Laurie. Flobots found mainstream success with their major label debut Fight with Tools , featuring the single "Handlebars", which became a popular hit on Modern Rock radio in April 2008.-Early...
, Deuce Mob
Deuce Mob
Deuce Mob is a hip hop/Chicano Rap/Southwest Hip Hop group from Denver, Colorado. The group hails from the northwest area of the city. Deuce Mob is known as Colorado's first rap group to sign a major record deal back in 1993, with Thump Records and Universal Records...
, King Tef, B Blacc, Zachary "Status" Young and Krookid Hooks.
The Axe Murder Boyz
Axe Murder Boyz
Axe Murder Boyz are an American hip hop duo from Denver, Colorado. The group consists of brothers Mike and James Garcia, who perform under the names Bonez Dubb and Otis.-Biography:...
are a horrorcore
Horrorcore
Horrorcore is a subgenre of hip hop music based in horror-themed lyrical content and imagery. While the style is rarely popular, some performers have sold well in the mainstream scene.-Origins:...
hip hop group on Hatchet House
Hatchet House
Hatchet House is the sub-label of independent record label Psychopathic Records, based in Royal Oak, Michigan in the United States, which was formed in 2007 by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse.-History:...
records. They have released three studio albums, with their fourth album The Garcia Brothers coming in 2011.
The Flobots
Flobots
The Flobots are a political rock and hip hop musical group from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2000 by Jamie Laurie. Flobots found mainstream success with their major label debut Fight with Tools , featuring the single "Handlebars", which became a popular hit on Modern Rock radio in April 2008.-Early...
are a hip hop/rock group from Denver. They have two studio albums, Fight With Tools
Fight with Tools
Fight with Tools is the debut album by Flobots released in October 2007 and re-released on May 20, 2008. It features the single "Handlebars", which became a popular hit on Modern Rock radio the following April...
and Survival Story
Survival Story
-Singles:"White Flag Warrior" was the first single from the album, released digitally on 2 February 2010.-Personnel:Group members*Jamie Laurie – vocals, songwriter, guitar, drums, bass, keyboard*Andy Guererro – guitars, background vocals*Kenny Ortiz – drums...
. Their single "Handlebars
Handlebars (song)
"Handlebars" is a song by Flobots. It was released as the first single from their debut album, Fight with Tools and is the group's largest success, peaking at #3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks in just less than three weeks after the single's release....
" came into prominence and charted at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Deuce Mob
Deuce Mob
Deuce Mob is a hip hop/Chicano Rap/Southwest Hip Hop group from Denver, Colorado. The group hails from the northwest area of the city. Deuce Mob is known as Colorado's first rap group to sign a major record deal back in 1993, with Thump Records and Universal Records...
are a Chicano Rap
Chicano rap
Chicano Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music, Latin rap and gangsta rap that embodies aspects of West Coast and Southwest Mexican American culture and is typically performed by American rappers and musicians of Mexican descent.-Early Years:...
group from North Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. Their most prominent release was their 1996 debut album, Going Solo. They have collaborated with artists such as, Kid Frost
Kid Frost
Arturo Molina Jr. , better known as Frost , is a Mexican American hip hop artist.-Early life:...
, Chingo Bling
Chingo Bling
Pedro Herrera III in Houston, Texas of Mexican parents, better known by his stage name Chingo Bling, is a well known underground rapper and producer....
, Devin the Dude
Devin the Dude
Devin Copeland , better known by his stage name, Devin the Dude, is a Houston hip hop artist, and rapper. He is best known for his unique rapping style, his long career signed to Rap-A-Lot Records, and his 2002 song, "Lacville '79"....
, Rappin' 4-Tay
Rappin' 4-Tay
Anthony Forté , better known by his stage name Rappin' 4-Tay, is an American rapper from the Fillmore District of San Francisco, California.-Music career:...
, and Mack 10
Mack 10
Dedrick Rolison, , better known by his stage name Mack 10 is an American rapper and actor. He was a member of hip hop trio Westside Connection, along with Ice Cube and WC...
. They have also performed with artists such as Tech N9ne
Tech N9ne
Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...
, Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
, and WC
WC
-Computing:* wc , a Unix utility used for counting words and lines in a file* Wing Commander , a video game media franchise* Write-combining, a computing performance method of combining multiple memory writes before sending them-Industry:...
.
Another prominent hip hop artist to come out of Denver is the group Zachary "Status" Young & Krookid Hooks. They are from North Denver, and released their debut album Death, Politics, Religion and Rap. Krookid Hooks has since released a solo album titled "Dark Comedy" in 2010 . The group also recorded a compilation album Language of the Beast with Louie Cypha and Manic who are on their label Cadava Recordz in 2010. Status is set to release an album titled "The Marlboro Man" as well as Krookid Hooks with a collaboration album featuring other Colorado hip hop artists titled "Krookid Kollabos". Both are due out summer 2011.
King Tef is another popular up and coming hip hop artist from Denver. He released his debut album Krowned Illest N-Tha Game in 2010. He is currently working on a collaboration album, The Council, with fellow Colorado hip hop artists Black Pegasus, Hypnautic, and more.
B BlacKK is another very prominent artist in Denver. He is from the Montbello area on the east side of Denver. His albums The BlacCk Mac LP, The Art of Conflict, and BlacK the Ripper have gained much attention in the southwest and the west coast.
Other prominent artists from Denver are Whygee, Sunken State, Hypnautic, Def Ch!ld Produx, Maneline, King Devious, Da'Ze De'Vil, Deca, Avius, Black Hole Posse, and Bobby Tek.
Colorado Springs
The most popular hip hop artist from Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
is Black Pegasus
Black Pegasus (rapper)
Robert Houston II, also known as Black Pegasus or simply Black-P, is an American rapper/southwestern hip hop artist from Colorado Springs...
. He runs his own label, Brass Knuckle Entertainment, and has released 5 studio albums. He has collaborated with artists such as Tech N9ne
Tech N9ne
Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...
, Immortal Technique
Immortal Technique
Felipe Andres Coronel , better known by the stage name Immortal Technique, is an American rapper of Afro-Peruvian descent as well as an urban activist. He was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Harlem, New York. Most of his lyrics focus on controversial issues in global politics...
, and Chino XL
Chino XL
Derek Keith Barbosa , better known by his stage name Chino XL, is an American hip hop lyricist, battle rapper, and actor of Puerto Rican and African American descent...
. His new album, Brass Knuckle King, is coming out in 2011.
Another known hip hop artist from Colorado Springs is Black P's brother Trigga Man, who is signed to his brother's label, Brass Knuckle Entertainment. He released his debut studio album Squeeze Till You Empty in 2007.
Distrakt is another popular hip hop artist to come from Colorado Springs. His albums include Calculate Depth Thru Introspect and Distraktions.
Nevada
The most notable rap artists from Nevada are Big B, ConFlix, SeDrew Price, Tha Landlord, Trayo, and Jazz. All six rappers are from Las Vegas.Big B has released six solo albums since 2004 and four other albums with his group OPM
OPM (band)
OPM is a Southern California based ska punk band. OPM has a distinctive sound, combining hip hop, rock music, and pop with laid-back reggae.-Band history:...
. He is signed to Suburban Noize Records
Suburban Noize Records
Suburban Noize Records, also known as "Subnoize", is an independent record label based in Burbank, California that specializes in punk rock and underground hip hop...
. He has collaborated frequently with the Kottonmouth Kings
Kottonmouth Kings
Kottonmouth Kings is an American rap rock group from Placentia, Orange County, California. Kottonmouth Kings officially formed in 1994, and describe themselves as "psychedelic hip-hop punk rock"...
, Tech N9ne
Tech N9ne
Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...
, and Hed PE. Big B has also collaborated with the Axe Murder Boyz
Axe Murder Boyz
Axe Murder Boyz are an American hip hop duo from Denver, Colorado. The group consists of brothers Mike and James Garcia, who perform under the names Bonez Dubb and Otis.-Biography:...
and Blaze Ya Dead Homie
Blaze Ya Dead Homie
Chris Rouleau, also known as Blaze Ya Dead Homie, is an American rapper from Romeo, Michigan. His stage persona is that of a reincarnated gang member killed in the late 1980s, and his music is a fusion of gangsta rap and horrorcore.-Biography:...
.
SeDrew Price aka "The Prince of Sin City", has released 4 mixtapes, "Roll Da Mat", "Basic Training", "Rap Or Die", and "The X-Files". In 2009, he released his debut independent album, "T.D.A.T." (The Day After Tomorrow). He is releasing an EP in July 2011 called "The New Regime". SeDrew Price also features in "Party Hard", a hit single by fellow Las Vegas rapper Jazz.